Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;impulsive&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Impulsive’, characterized by its upright plant habit; vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two to three inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; large light purple-colored flowers densely covered with variably sized purplish red-colored dots and blotches; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: René Schoone

Filed: Jun. 6, 2020

Ser. No. 62/705,003

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of this provisional U.S. Patent Application.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘IMPULSIVE’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR and APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application, Floricultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Sep. 17, 2020, application number 2020/2188. Foreign priority is not claimed to this European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/or Applicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Impulsive’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in De Lier and Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing and freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and large flowers with unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in May, 2014 in De Lier, The Netherlands of a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number B 7039, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number CX 382, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands in March, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristem propagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlands since March, 2018 has shown that the unique features of this new Phalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Impulsive’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Impulsive’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Strong flowering stems.     -   4. Strong leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two to three         inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous         flowers.     -   6. Large light purple-colored flowers densely covered with         variably sized purplish red-colored dots and blotches.     -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have more dots and blotches than flowers of plants of the female parent selection. In addition, the curvature of the labellum is stronger in plants of the new Phalaenopsis than plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have fewer dots and blotches than flowers of plants of the male parent selection. In addition, the ground color of the petals of the new Phalaenopsis is light purple whereas the ground color of the petals of the male parent selection is white.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Cosmopolitan’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Cosmopolitan’ in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have more dots and blotches, but less dense venation and stripes than flowers of plants of ‘Cosmopolitan’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Impulsive’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘Impulsive’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the late autumn in 10.5-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs and description were taken. During the first twelve months of production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the final six months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. During the 18 months of production, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000 lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Impulsive’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number B 7039, not patented.         -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number CX 382, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks             at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and             winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to             30° C.         -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in             color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate             temperature and age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Low amount of branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright             plant habit with typically two to three inflorescences per             plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;             vigorous growth habit and moderate to rapid growth rate.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About             20.5 cm.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of             inflorescences.—About 62 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 38 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about             six leaves per plant.         -   Length.—About 23.7 cm.         -   Width.—About 8.4 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.         -   Shape.—Elliptic to narrowly oblong and narrowly obovate;             slightly concave and slightly carinate.         -   Apex.—Unequal broadly acute.         -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 2.2 cm. Sheath width:             About 1.6 cm. Sheath color: Close to 143A and 143B.         -   Margin.—Entire; not undulate.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous; matte.         -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Slightly darker             than between NN137A and 147A. Developing leaves, lower             surface: Close to 146A; towards the margins and midrib,             tinged with close to N186C. Fully expanded leaves, upper             surface: Close to NN137A; venation, close to between NN137A             and 139A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to             between 146A and 147B; venation, close to 147A. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers             arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two or             three inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with             about ten flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching             inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with             three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal             transformed into a labellum and three sepals.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months             after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter             into the spring.         -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers             maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence             apex).—About 32.4 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—About 16 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2.1 cm. Diameter: About 1.4 cm by             1.7 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 182B; towards             the apex, tinged with close to 184B; towards the base,             tinged with close to between 147D and 150D; dots, close to             183A and 183B.         -   Flower size.—Large, about 8.4 cm (vertical) by 9.6 cm             (horizontal).         -   Flower depth.—About 3.1 cm.         -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals             and one center petal transformed into a labellum.         -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.6 cm. Width: About 5.6 cm.             Shape: Reniform. Apex: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture and             luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety;             matte. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 76B             densely covered with variable dots and blotches arranged in             roughly radial lines, close to N79C and close to between             N79B to 79C; towards the margins and apex, slightly tinged             and covered with finer dots, close to N78A and NN78C;             towards the base, close to NN155D and at the base (at the             column connection), close to N79C. When opening, lower             surface: Close to 76B; towards the margins and apex, close             to 76C to 76D; blotches from upper surface visible, close to             77B and N79B; venation, lighter than close to N77D. Fully             opened, upper surface: Close to 76B and 76C densely covered             with variable dots and blotches arranged in roughly radial             lines, close to N79C and close to between N79B to 79C;             towards the margins and apex, slightly tinged and covered             with finer dots, close to N78A, N78B and NN78C; towards the             base, close to NN155D and at the base (at the column             connection), close to N79B; color does not change with             subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close             to 76C; towards the margins and apex, close to 76A; blotches             from upper surface visible, close to 77B; venation, lighter             than close to N77D; color does not change with subsequent             development.         -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and             a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 2.3 cm. Width,             lateral lobes: About 1.5 cm. Length, central lobe: About             3.7 cm. Width, central lobe: About 7 mm to 25 mm. Shape,             lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Deltoid. Apex,             lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two             narrow and strongly recurved cirrose tips, about 1.7 cm in             length and about 1.6 mm in width. Margins, lateral lobes:             Entire; coarsely undulate. Margins, central lobe: Entire.             Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous, moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at             the base of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral             petals; about 6 mm in length, about 6 mm in width and about             5 mm in height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to NN155D; basal margin, close to 10B; at the             base, close to 187B and 187C. Central lobe: Close to between             76D and NN155D, widest part, close to 160B to 160C, with             fine dots and stripes, close to N78B and N78C; towards the             base, close to N79A and at the base, close to 76C; cirrose             tips, close to NN155D tinged with close to N78C.             Callosities: Close to 4D and 187B. When opening, lower             surface: Lateral lobes: Close to NN155C; margins, close to             8B and basal margin, close to 10C; towards the base, close             to N77C. Central lobe: Close to 77C flushed with close to             77B; towards the margins, close to 160B; at the base, close             to 84D; cirrose tips, close to NN155D tinged with close to             N78C. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to             NN155D; towards the apex, tinged with close to 77C; basal             margin, close to 12B; at the base, close to 187B. Central             lobe: Close to 76C to 76D, widest part, close to 22B, with             fine dots and flushed with close to N78B and N78C; towards             the base, close to 76B and at the base, close to N186B;             cirrose tips, close to NN155D tinged with close to N78B.             Callosities: Close to 4B and N186C. Fully opened, lower             surface: Lateral lobes: Close to NN155D; basal margin, close             to 12C and flushed with close to 77C; towards the base,             close to N77C to N77D. Central lobe: Close to 77B flushed             with close to between 77A and 77B; towards the margins,             close to 161B; at the base, close to between 84D and 156B;             cirrose tips, close to NN155D tinged with close to N78C.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal             sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:             About 4.8 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.3 cm. Length,             lateral sepals: About 4.9 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About             3 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Broadly elliptic to slightly             obovate. Shape, lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal:             Broadly and bluntly acute. Apex, lateral sepals: Acute.             Base, dorsal and lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal             and lateral sepals: Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and             lateral sepals, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous,             velvety; matte. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening, upper             surface: Close to 76C to 76D densely covered with variable             dots and blotches arranged in roughly radial lines, close to             N79C and close to between N79B to 79C; towards the margins             and apex, slightly tinged with close to N78B and covered             with finer dots, close to N78A; towards the base, close to             NN155D and at the base (at the column connection), close to             N78B. When opening, lower surface: Close to 186C; towards             the margins and apex, close to N78C to N78D; blotches from             upper surface visible, close to N77B; venation, lighter than             close to N77C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 76B and             76C densely covered with variable dots and blotches arranged             in roughly radial lines, close to N79C and close to between             N79B to N79C; towards the margins and apex, slightly tinged             and covered with finer dots, close to N78A, N78B and NN78C;             towards the base, close to NN155D and at the base (at the             column connection), close to N78B; color does not change             with subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface:             Close to 77C and 77D; central blotch and towards the base,             tinged with a blend of close to 71C and 150C; blotches from             upper surface visible, close to 77B; venation, lighter than             close to N77D; color does not change with subsequent             development. Color, lateral sepals: When opening, upper             surface: Close to 155C densely covered with variable dots             and blotches arranged in roughly radial lines, close to N79B             to N79C; towards the margins and apex, close to 76C to 76D             and covered with finer dots, close to N78A and N78B; towards             the base, close to NN155D and at the base (at the column             connection), close to N79B. When opening, lower surface:             Close to N77B; center and towards the base, tinged with             close to 195C and 196A; blotches from upper surface visible,             close to N77D to lighter than N77D; venation, close to N77B.             Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 76B and 76C densely             covered with variable dots and blotches arranged in roughly             radial lines, close to N79C and close to between N79B to             N79C; towards the margins and apex, slightly tinged and             covered with finer dots, close to N78A, N78B and NN78C;             towards the base, close to NN155D and at the base (at the             column connection), close to N79B; color does not change             with subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface:             Close to 76C; towards the margins and apex, close to 77C to             77D; towards the base, close to 150D; blotches from upper             surface visible, close to 77B; venation, lighter than close             to N77D and main vein, strongly tinged with close to 150D;             color does not change with subsequent development.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 69.5 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.             Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to             between 200A and 203A and tinged with close to N189A; fine             dots, close to N148A.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 4 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 55° from peduncle             axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:             Close to N148D; proximally, close to 197A to darker than             197A and distally, close to N74D.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.             Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to 77A to 77B             and distally, close to 76B. Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia             diameter (per two pollinia): About 2.75 mm. Pollinia color:             Close to 24A. Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 3 mm. Stigma             width: About 4.5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color:             Close to N155A. Ovary length: About 1 cm. Ovary diameter:             About 1 mm. Ovary color: Close to NN155D. Seeds and fruits:             To date, seed and fruit development have not been observed             on plants of the new Phalaenopsis. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis     have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been     observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about     40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Impulsive’ as illustrated and described. 